By Harry Mottram: As a journalist and editor I’ve come across numerous stories of conmen, fraudsters and riff-off merchants – they are one aspect of unsavoury Britain. The other side are those who are considered OK by the public. This press release from the Bath Liberal Democrat MP Wera House brought it to my attention – the subject being Jamie Oliver – the TV chef and best selling cook book writer who has left many people out of pocket from staff at his restaurants and the suppliers who didn’t get paid.
So I have no hesitation in repeating this post from Bath Voice News (I am the editor):
At Bath Voice News we publish press releases from various sources to do with Bath – and we leave readers to decide on how to read them in the spirit they are celebrating the city. This one from Wera Hobhouse MP is we feel is ill judged. Jamie Oliver may be the poster boy of healthy eating for school children but his track record in business has left many suppliers and staff out of pocket while he continues the life of a celebrity chef. His track record is there for all to read over the years – this is from The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/…/jamie-oliver-jobs…
This is the press release:
Bath MP meets with Jamie Oliver’s team to discuss combatting childhood obesity “epidemic”
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, joined Parliamentarians this morning (8th January) at Jamie Oliver’s London restaurant on Catherine Street to discuss the growing challenge of child obesity.
There was a broad range of Parliamentarians such as Liberal Democrat Peer, Baroness Walmsley, and Chair of the Health All-Party Parliamentary Group, Dr Simon Opher, at the event hosted by Chris Webb MP and Jamie Oliver’s team.
The discussions at the restaurant focused on tackling the crisis of childhood obesity especially in more deprived communities. The correlation between deprivation and obesity is stark. Over the last decade, the percentage of children leaving primary school with obesity or an unhealthy weight has soared. This trend is steeper for those experiencing deprivation.
Mrs Hobhouse is urging the government to do more to address the direct link between obesity and deprivation especially within schools. She is campaigning to make school meals healthier so that all children have access to a balanced, nutritional meal each day.
The Bath MP will push the government to consider this strategy during a Parliamentary debate next week (13th January) on the impact of food and diet on obesity, led by Dr Opher.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, said:
“There is no denying that the UK is facing a childhood obesity epidemic. After the Conservatives failed to take the necessary steps to prevent the crisis, it’s clear the new government have a lot of work to do to put things right.
“While there is certainly no quick fix, Labour must take these challenges seriously to protect the health of younger generations.
“As there is a stark link between deprivation and obesity, we need to make sure children are eating healthy meals at school. That way, every child will be able to access balanced, nutritious food to help them thrive.”